Don't Let These Holiday Scams Spoil Your Holiday

Current scams happening abroad

As we approach the school summer holidays we thought it would be a good time to find out what scams are currently going on at popular holiday destinations.

Being in another country, unfamiliar with their customs and unable to find your way around leaves us more vulnerable to being conned. However, having some prior knowledge of these scams can help.

 

Broken Taxi Meter

Don't use a taxi with a broken meter, or allow the driver to turn the meter off because you are told you will be charged less. Chances are you may arrive at your destination and be charged much more!

 

Taxi Fee Thief

A known scam in India, a helpful local may notice you appear lost and offer to find a taxi for you. They ask where you are going and tell you how much the fare will be, asking you to give that to them.

Do not pay them upfront. They may make out they are doing this to help you as the driver doesn't speak good English.

They then walk away leaving you in the car - which may not even be a taxi - or if it is you will then have to pay the fare a second time.

 

Cheap Tuk-Tuk (3 wheeler taxi type vehicles)

Be careful using these to get around as the driver may do a de-tour via an expensive shop they have some connection with and then push you to buy things. 

If you do want to use this form of transport, make it clear to the driver beforehand that you do not want to go to any shops and if taken to any insist that you will not get out of the vehicle. 

 

Fake Events/Goods

Tip -  Do some research before you make expensive purchases! - I would decline any offers from any local people to take you anywhere to show you something. They may be genuine or they may be looking to get you on your own so they can use high pressure sales tactics to get you to buy something you don't want or isn't genuine - such as fake jewellery.

Example - This scam is currently happening in China and some other countries - You may be approached by a harmless looking girl who makes conversation with you whilst she is hanging around waiting for someone. She offers to accompany you somewhere to share her local knowledge with you and she says she is keen to help because she can practise her English. You may be invited to an art show to look at worthless art and then be subject to pushy sales tactics to buy something they claim is an incredibly valuable/one-off/rare piece. In actual fact, you have been ‘encouraged’ to buy junk.

 

Check your food bill

Some restaurants think they can con you into tipping twice. Check the bill - they may have listed a 'Service Charge' and a 'Gratuity'.

 

 

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